Clark County Public Health is the recipient of the 2019 Washington Association of School Administrators Community Leadership Award for the Columbia River region.
Nominated by Vancouver Public Schools for the award, Clark County Public Health was selected for its work in winter and spring 2019 to contain a fast-spreading measles outbreak that primarily affected youth. Public Health collaborated with three Southwest Washington school districts and two private schools to identify exposure sites, notify school staff and families of exclusions, monitor for additional cases and share information in several languages.
Public Health staff were recognized on May 17 at a regional awards ceremony at Educational Service District 112.
Dr. Alan Melnick, Clark County health officer and Public Health director, acknowledged the collaborative effort, which included the Washington State Department of Health, other local public health jurisdictions, health care partners, volunteers and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Dr. Melnick also acknowledged the efforts of staff members who work at schools and districts.